Chapter 494 495: The Basic Qualities of a Primordial Saint Sect True Person
Chapter 495: The Basic Qualities of a Saint Sect True Person
Having reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, Lü Yang once again stood at the pinnacle of his ten lifetimes.
'Though I say that, I'm still lacking in some aspects.'
Foundation Establishment Perfection involved refining Metal Essence, elevating the Blessed Land, seeking the Golden Core, and establishing a Dongtian. Among these, the most crucial were Metal Essence and the Blessed Land.
'I don't need to worry about the Blessed Land. The [Xuan Capital Blessed Land] resonates perfectly with my spirit. As long as I refine it with my divine abilities and integrate it into my Dao foundation, it will be ready for use. In comparison, Metal Essence is even more troublesome—it must be slowly extracted from the soul using divine abilities, a task that cannot be accomplished in a single day.'
Of course, there were shortcuts.
One could refine Metal Essence using a first-grade Official Position from the Dao Court. However, after careful consideration, Lü Yang concluded that refining Metal Essence on his own was the safer option.
'Besides, this doesn't interfere with matters concerning the [Heaven of Non-Existence].'
With a shift in thought, Lü Yang's divine sense sank into the Myriad Spirits Banner, where he saw Ancestor Nether Whisper seated within, surrounded by four rotating divine abilities.
"[Essence of All Flowers], [Sea of Sorrow Infusion], [Ferry Across the Lost Ford], [Song of Eternal Regret]!"
Lü Yang recognized them clearly—these four divine abilities corresponded to the [Heaven of Non-Existence]. Half a year had been enough for Ancestor Nether Whisper to successfully gather them all.
At this realization, Lü Yang's expression suddenly turned peculiar.
'[Essence of All Flowers]... Ancestor truly has impressive endurance.'
Back then, Lü Yang had effortlessly obtained the [Essence of All Flowers], but that was only because he had cheated—his innate talent alone allowed him to withstand the Heavenly Maiden Formation.
However, his method of clearing the trial was unique and impossible for ordinary people to replicate. The correct approach should have been to find the formation's flaw amidst the Heavenly Maidens' entanglements and break it through skillful maneuvering. Compared to that, Lü Yang's method had no finesse—it was all brute force.
Just then, Ancestor Nether Whisper opened his eyes and spoke softly:
"...Has the time come?"
Over a month ago, he had already refined the four divine abilities of the [Heaven of Non-Existence]. He had only been waiting for Lü Yang to achieve his breakthrough.
Now that Lü Yang had succeeded, everything was ready.
The next moment, Lü Yang clasped his hands in salute. "I must trouble Ancestor."
"No, it is I who should thank you."
Ancestor Nether Whisper shook his head. True, after achieving the [Heaven of Non-Existence], he would become an enemy of all True Lords under heaven, inviting endless calamity—but so what?
A True Lord was still a True Lord!
This wretched place had not produced a True Lord in many years. The position alone was enough to drive countless Foundation Establishment cultivators to madness—who wouldn't crave it?
Especially Ancestor Nether Whisper. He considered himself somewhat talented, but what could he do against a True Lord? A single sword strike from thousands of miles away could render him utterly helpless. No one understood the gap between Golden Core and Foundation Establishment better than he did, which was why he treasured this opportunity all the more and recognized the immense value of the True Lord position.
The more he understood, the more grateful he was to Lü Yang.
"Ancestor must not let his guard down. This endeavor is not without Variation," Lü Yang said solemnly. "If I'm not mistaken, Chongguang... that old thief will also appear."
"Chongguang?"
Ancestor Nether Whisper was momentarily stunned. "Ah, right—you did negotiate a deal with him... But of course, you're both True Persons of the Saint Sect. If it were me, I wouldn't trust you either."
Breaking promises was a basic quality of a Saint Sect True Person.
Moreover, Lü Yang knew Chongguang extremely well and understood his philosophy. Even if cornered, he would never place all his hopes in an outsider.
'He will inevitably seek the [Heaven of Non-Existence]!'
'Not necessarily because he truly wants to achieve it, but to leave himself a way out in case I betray him.'
And this concern was, in fact, entirely justified.
After all, Lü Yang had previously struck a deal with [Ang Xiao] regarding the [Overturned Lamp Flame], selling the same goods twice. Whichever party got scammed, he truly didn't care.
With this in mind, Lü Yang quickly warned, "In any case, Ancestor, while you strive to achieve the [Heaven of Non-Existence], Chongguang will likely compete with you in secret."
"Do not underestimate him."
Though, in terms of outcome, Lü Yang wouldn't lose out regardless of who achieved the [Heaven of Non-Existence], he still had his own selfish motives. Chongguang refused to enter the Myriad Spirits Banner, making him far less trustworthy than Ancestor Nether Whisper. Given the choice, Lü Yang would naturally prefer to grant the Fruit Position to someone closer to him.
"Rest assured, I understand."
After receiving Lü Yang's warning, Ancestor Nether Whisper nodded. "The [Heaven of Non-Existence] concerns your plans. I will give it my all and not let anyone take it from me."
"I bid Ancestor farewell."
Under Lü Yang's gaze, Ancestor Nether Whisper smiled faintly before the four divine abilities lifted his consciousness and hurled it into the [Heaven of Non-Existence]!
Layers of clouds intertwined with illusions.
Ancestor Nether Whisper's consciousness wandered leisurely within, curiously surveying his surroundings. He had never actually entered the [Heaven of Non-Existence] before.
However, as a Banner Spirit, as long as Lü Yang cooperated, he could share the Banner Master's experiences. Thus, he had indirectly entered the [Heaven of Non-Existence] and encountered the remnant consciousness of the Innate True Person Mu Changsheng. Otherwise, in his previous life, he wouldn't have been able to imitate Mu Changsheng's method of consciousness separation out of thin air.
Of course, indirect observation differed from direct experience.
Indirect glimpses were often hazy, while direct observation brought clarity.
'Strictly speaking, that child Lü Yang... Well, his diligence is his greatest strength, which has brought him this far. But there are many things he doesn't truly comprehend.'
At this thought, Ancestor Nether Whisper couldn't help but chuckle.
However, he quickly dismissed his stray thoughts and stood firm amidst the clouds. His gaze shifted, and from the other side of the sea of clouds, another figure emerged.
The newcomer had an ordinary appearance, save for the sharp, soaring aura between his brows that revealed his identity.
Upon seeing him, Ancestor Nether Whisper sighed inwardly:
'That child guessed correctly again.'
Immediately after, he clasped his hands and spoke loudly, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Chongguang."
On the other side, Chongguang frowned. "And who might you be? To reach this stage, you must have some reputation in the world."
"Just a nobody."
Ancestor Nether Whisper waved his hand dismissively. "Rather, Fellow Daoist Chongguang—since the [Overturned Lamp Flame] is already within your grasp, why come here seeking another Fruit Position?"
These words instantly brought Chongguang enlightenment: 'The senior who can temporarily wield the [Overturned Lamp Flame]? No, wait—his subordinate? What extravagance! A Fruit Position, even if heterodox, still represents a True Lord position. That senior is willing to just hand it over?'
Yet the more he thought about it, the more vigilant Chongguang became.
Such generosity, combined with the likelihood that this senior belonged to the Saint Sect—would he truly lend the [Overturned Lamp Flame] to help Chongguang pave his path to Golden Core?
Chongguang found it hard to believe!
But if that were the case, should he compete with Ancestor Nether Whisper for the [Heaven of Non-Existence]? Wouldn't that mean offending the mysterious senior backing him?
If he succeeded, then so be it.
But if he failed, he would lose both the [Heaven of Non-Existence] and the [Overturned Lamp Flame], cutting off his Dao path entirely!
At this realization, Chongguang—rare for him—found himself hesitating.
After all, this concerned the position of a True Lord. How could he afford to be careless?
Yet just then, ripples stirred once more in the sea of clouds. In the next moment, an elderly man with white hair and a weathered face stepped out from the mist.
It was none other than the Innate True Person Mu Changsheng!
However, Mu Changsheng paid no attention to Chongguang. Instead, he immediately focused on Ancestor Nether Whisper, his eyes filled with doubt.
A moment later, he spoke cautiously, with a hint of uncertainty:
"A Banner Spirit?"